Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Participation Grants

The RFP is posted on the following website: https://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/dpil/

Legislative Authority

Chapter 53 of the Laws of 2024 appropriated $500,000 to be awarded through a competitive grant program based on need and children served. 

Purpose of Grant

A competitive grant to provide up to 50% of monthly costs for organizations who participate in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library as Program Partners. 

Project Period

01/01/2025-12/31/2025 

Funds need to be deposited with Dollywood as a credit balance within 30 days of receipt of award. 

Eligible Applicants 

Libraries, library systems, non-profits, school districts, non-public schools, charter schools and boards of cooperative educational services (BOCES) who have an established Memorandum of Agreement to participate in Dolly Parton Imagination Library.  Eligible applicants who are a Local Program Partner for more than one Imagination Library program may submit one application per program. 

Mandatory Requirement 

Applicants must have an established Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to participate in Dolly Parton Imagination Library. Applicants must have an active MOA at the time of the application deadline, or their applications will not be eligible for review 

Amount of Funding 

$500,000. Grant awards will be limited to a minimum of $2,500 and a maximum of $49,000. 

Application Due Date 

Applications must be submitted online at https://nyslgrants.smapply.us/  by 5:00pm on 01/10/2025 

Questions and Answers 

All questions must be submitted via e-mail to NYSLImaginationLibrary@nysed.gov by 12/06/24. A complete list of all Questions and Answers will be posted to https://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/dpil/  no later than 12/20/24.  

Pre-qualification Requirement 

Proposals received from nonprofit applicants that are not Prequalified in the Statewide Financial System (SFS) by 5:00 PM on the proposal due date of 01/10/2025 cannot be evaluated. Such proposals will be disqualified from further consideration. Please see the “Prequalification Requirement” section for additional information. 

Non-Mandatory Notice of Intent 

The Notice of Intent (NOI) is not a requirement for submitting a complete application by the application date; however, NYSED strongly encourages all prospective applicants to submit an NOI to ensure a timely and thorough review and rating process. A non-profit applicant’s NOI will also help to facilitate timely review of their prequalification materials. The notice of intent is a simple email notice stating your organization’s (use the legal name) intent to submit an application for this grant. Please also include your organization’s NYS Vendor ID. The due date is 12/06/24. Please send the NOI to NYSLImaginationLibrary@nysed.gov.